What can be more expressive than this representation of the sounds of a battle in ancient times?—

“Arms on armor clashing bray’d

Horrible discord; and the madding wheels

Of brazen chariots raged.”

How effective is the pause after the word “shook” in these lines!—

“And over them triumphant Death his dart

Shook, but delayed to strike.”

Discordant sounds are vividly described in this line from “Lycidas”:

“Grate on their scrannel pipes of wretched straw.”